





Vv v 



<3. -o . . * .<% 




,0 V i'*^* o, i» o 







r 'o • 7 * A 



4? .V^IV- ^j* «^A *u.*< 



*fe 







;♦ «>* ^ * 




.* 



V t o * « * 










••- *> 






Wo V,^ •■ 



vv 

















'" ♦" <^» •" *« -*. 






S>-r> 






^ 



*»."*' <v 



9a. ••-• 



# ' ... 













'<. '•?**' ,6* 












!> ♦*'** 



* o 



-o/ 








W 





O ' « o ' 





»PV 




•* o* 






















* * 



►*4 



Sem i-Centennial 
r ADD^ESS 



Z5l> 



Ct)Qs. Davison, 



P O E M S, 



W, S. KNOWLTOX M 

ETC., 






^jfc. 



MOflSOfl,. flPHlIi 22, 1872. 



FOXCROFT: 
F. D. BARROWS, PRINTER. 

l8Q2. 



3 5k qb 

Monson, April 23, 1872. 
Charles Davison, Esq., 

Dear Sir: — In accordance with the wishes of the citizens 
of Monson, we respectfully request you to furnish for 
publication, a copy of the very interesting historical 
address delivered by you at the Semi-Centennial Anniver- 
sary yesterday. Hoping that you will make a favorable 
response; we remain, 

Yours Truly, 

R. W. Emerson, 

L. C. Flint, J- Committee. 

W. S. Knoweton 



Monson, May 1, 1872. 
Gentlemen: — I have received your note of the 23d ult., 
requesting a copy of the address delivered by me on the 
occasion of the fiftieth annivery of our town's organ- 
ization. As historical addresses are considered to be, more 
than other productions, public property, I do not feel at 
liberty to decline furnishing a copy for the press. I am 
conscious that the address has nothing to recommend it to 
the public favor, other than the interesting facts it con- 
tains; it being deficient in more than one particular. 

It will afford me great pleasure if my efforts shall per- 
petuate the memory of the early settlers of our town, and 
of the privations they were called to endure in establishing 
the .pleasant, homes we now enjoy; and also awaken a 
•deeper Interest in tho.se things which will contribute to the 
permanent welfare of the place. 
With great respect, 

Yours Truly, 

CHARLES DAVISON. 
To Messrs. 

R. W. Emerson, ^ 

W. S. Knowlton, ) 






SE]V!I-CEflTENNlAIi COffifflEffiORRTIOfl. 



The citizens of Monson, Me., met in Academy Hall to 
celebrate the semi-centennial anniversary of the organ- 
ization of the town, on Monday, April 22, 1872. 

After singing by the choir, "Anthem for Easter," the 
chairman, A. Chapin, Esq., called the meeting to order 
and made the following remarks : 

Ladies and Gentlemen : — I suppose the purpose of 
this gathering of our citizens here to-day may be well 
understood by most, if not all of you. Yet it may not be 
improper for me to say that it is for the purpose of cele- 
brating, or doing something to keep in remembrance, the 
semi-centennial anniversary of the organization of the town 
of Monson. Fifty years' ago to-day, and about this hour 
of the day, a few persons, most of them in the prime of life, 
with a few boys looking on, had assembled in the "east- 
room," not the famous east room of "Old Hickery's" time, 
but the eastf room of the residence of Capt. Samuel 
Whitney. This room, though not so famous as the former, 
must have been quite as useful, as it constituted the cook- 
room, kitchen, dining-room, parlor, and perhaps various 
other rooms of the Whitney mansion. In this room had 
these true-hearted men assembled, for the purpose of 
organizing the "'cadeiny town," as it was then called, into 



4 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

the corporate capacity of the town of Monson, the Hon. 
Samuel Pingree, of Parkman, presiding and officiating as 
Justice of the Peace, on that occasion. 

Prayer was then offered by Rev. R. W. Emerson, and 
after the singing of "Lenox" by the choir, the audience 
listened to the following historical address by Charles Dav- 
ison, Esq. : 

Fellow Citizens : — The occasion which calls us 
together to-day is one of common interest. Half a century 
has elapsed since the Legislature of this State passed "an 
Act to incorporate the town of Monson," from which act I 
make the following extract : "Be it enacted by the Senate 
and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled : 
That township numbered nine in the eighth range of town- 
ships, north of Waldo Patent, in the County of Somerset, 
and bounded northerly by township numbered nine, in the 
ninth range; easterly by number eight, in the eighth range; 
southerly by number seven, in the seventh range; westerly 
by Bingham's Million Acres, with the inhabitants thereof, 
be and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of 
Monson, and the inhabitants of said town are hereby 
vested with all the privileges, powers and immunities 
which the inhabitants of towns within this State do or 
may by law enjoy." 

This act was approved Feb. 8, 1822, and on the twenty - 
second day of April following, just fifty years ago to-day, 
the inhabitants of this town, in response to a warrant issued 
by Samuel Pingree, Esq., of Parkman, met at the house of 
Whitney, Hyde & Co., for the purpose of completing the 
organization, as a town, by the choice of the necessary 
officers. This they did by choosing Andrew Cushman, 
Moderator; Samuel Whitney, Town Clerk; Samuel Whit- 
ney, Andrew Cushman and Abel Goodell, Selectmen and 
Assessors; Lucius Hyde, Treasurer; Austin Newell, 
Constable and Collector; Abel Goodell, Lucius Hyde and 
Chauncey L- Colton, School Committee; and filling the 
other offices by the choice of good and true men. The 



C O M M E M O R A T ION. 



5 



number of voters in the town at the time of its organ- 
ization, was twenty-one, namely: Amos Atkinson, Wm. 
Blunt, Amasa Chapin, Calvin Colton, Justin Colton, 
Chauneey L. Colton, Benj. Collins, Andrew Cushman, 
Geo. Douty, Abel Goodell, Wm. A. Hyde, Lucius Hyde, 
Joseph Jackson, Austin Newell, Abiel Packard, Shepherd 
Packard, Asa Piper, Horatio Sherman, Isaac Tyler, 
Saniuel Whitney and Samuel Weymouth. Six of these 
are still living: Isaac Tyler and Horatio Sherman in this 
town; Chauneey S. Colton in Galesburg, Illinois; Austin 
Newell in Monson, Mass.; Wm. A. Hyde in Portland, Me., 
and Shepherd Packard in Aroostook Co., of this State. 

The wives of three of these persons are still living, 
namely, Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Newell. 

The whole number of inhabitants at that time, as nearly 
as can now be ascertained, was ninety. Of those who were 
then here, and were then young, a few remain among us ; 
some are living in other places; but the most of them have 
gone to "that country from whose bourne no traveler 
returns." 

The first settlements in this town were in the west or 
south-western part of the. town. This part of the township, 
six miles by three, prior to the year 181 1, had been granted 
by the Legislature of Massachusetts to Hebron Academy 
in this State. Subsequently, the remainder of the town- 
ship was granted to the Academy in Monson, Mass. It 
was expected, indeed I think it was a provision in the 
grants, that a certain number of settlers, within a specified 
time, should become residents of this township; and the 
trustees of Hebron Academy offered fifty acres of land to 
any one who would come on to their portion and perform 
"settler's duty," as it was called, which was to clear a 
portion of land, build a house and occupy the same. 

The first settler in this town was Joseph Bearce, who 
came from Hebron in 1816, the year known throughout 
New England as the cold season. He had been here the 
previous year and felled a few trees. He commenced on lot 



6 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

numbered nine in the second range. During that summer, 
1816, he cleared a field and built a small log house. This 
was the first house in town. It was situated a few rods 
north of the road now leading from our village to 
Blanchard, and near where the road formerly known as the 
"Dudley road" leaves the Blanchard road. 

Mr. Bearce at this time was a young man, and doubtless 
was building bright hopes for the future. He remained 
here that season, and then was away for the winter, re- 
turning the next spring and raising a small crop on the 
land he had previously cleared. In the spring of 18 18 he 
married Nancy Ricker, of Paris. But they were not per- 
mitted to enjoy each other's society long, in the home they 
had chosen for themselves in the forest; for in the autumn 
cf the same year death claimed him for his victim, and he 
was called away from earth. 

This was the first death in town, God, it would seem, 
intending to remind those who were then here, and others 
who should come after them, how uncertain are all earthly 
prospects. This young man, full of life and hope, who so 
recently came far into the forest, guided only by the spot- 
ted line of the surveyor, to establish for himself a home, so 
soon cut down by the ruthless hand of the great destroyer, 
should certainly remind us how transient and uncertain 
are all human things. His funeral was attended by Elder 
Hall of Parkman, long known through all this region as 
an earnest preacher of the gospel. The text chosen by 
Mr. Hall on that occasion is found in Isaiah 40: 6-8. "All 
flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the 
flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower 
fadeth, because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it; 
surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower 
fadeth, but the word of our God shall stand forever." 
This was th^ first sermon ever preached in town, and the 
first funeral sermon ever preached by Elder Hall. 

While Mr. Bearce lived in this town, the path from Ab- 
bot to the settlement diverged irom the path leading to 



COMMEMORATION. 7 

Million Acres, now Blanchard, and Mr. B. finding a pair 
of Moose horns, placed them upon a post as a guide-board. 
Moose horns have ever since been used in that place for 
the same purpose; consequently, the place is designated 
Moose Horns. 

In 1816, Geo. Doughty from Gray, and Simeon Irish, 
from Hebron, commenced to fell trees in what has since 
been known as the ''Witham neighborhood." Mr. Irish 
built a small house that fall, and moved into it in 18 17. 
This was the first framed house in town, and was covered 
with shaved clapboards, without any boarding. It was 
situated on what was afterwards known as the Fogg place, 
near where J. B. Draper now lives. Mr. Douty raised some 
crop on his land in 18 17, and built a log house, into which, 
with a wife and five children, he moved in March, 18 r 8. 
These were the first children in town. 

The same year — 18 18 — Samuel Rcwe and wife came 
from Hebron, and commenced clearing land in the same 
neighborhood, living in the house with Mr. Doughty until 
he could erect a log house for himself. 

In the fall of 18 18, James Stanchfield came from Albion, 
and commenced to clear land; and in February, 18 19, 
moved with his family, eight persons in all, into the house 
built by Mr. Bearce. In this house he lived until he could 
erect a log house upon the land where he intended to, and 
did make for himself, a farm and home. This was the first 
house built in the east half of Monson, or on that part 
granted to Monson Academy, and was the place where, for 
some length of time, the people were accustomed to meet 
for religious worship and for other purposes ; indeed, this 
house was for some to years dwelling-house, meeting-house 
and school-house. It stood on the spot where Joseph 
Dame's buildings now stand. 

In the spring of 18 19, Joseph Jackson and wife, with a 
family of eight children, came from No. 7, now Abbot. He 
had been here the fall before, and felled some trees on the 
place now occupied by David B. Cotton. Here he erected 



8 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

a log house and lived several years; after which he moved 
into the east half of the town, living on the farm now 
occupied by H. C. Pullen. The same season, Samuel 
Weymouth, Amos Atkinson and Abial Packard came with 
their families, and commenced making for themselves 
homes. Mr. Packard bought Mr. Irish's house, and Mr. 
Atkinson located on the north side of Hebron Pond, this 
was the first settlement north of the pond. Here Mr. At- 
kinson and his wife commenced house-keeping in a small 
log house, at least one and a half mile from any neighbors; 
and they were obliged to cross the pond, a distance of 
nearly a mile, to to call on any friend. The wants of those 
early settlers were few, and were easily supplied. Instead 
of the spacious houses that we now think necessary for 
our comfort, they were contented and happy when they 
had erected a small house of unhewn logs, and had thus 
secured a comfortable shelter from the inclemency of the 
weather. Their furniture was of the plainest sort, and of 
this they possessed but a scanty supply; their food was 
such as they raised on their new farms, coarse but whole- 
some; their clothing was such as their wives and mothers 
manufactured with their own hands; gold and silver they 
had none, or but little; but with strong hands and de- 
termined hearts they toiled on, looking for the better time 
coming. Little do we realize, my friends, what privations, 
hardships, toils and sufferings it has cost to purchase for 
us the comfortable homes and the many privileges we now 
enjoy. But of these I shall speak more by and by. 

The first birth in town was a child born to Simeon Irish 
and wife, in the summer of 1818. The second was in the 
family of Samuel Rowe, the next summer; and third was 
a son of Amos Atkinson, in the Autumn of 18 19, while 
they were living so far from neighbors, on the north side 
of the pond. When this child was between two and three 
months old, Mr. A. found it necessary to go to Foxcroft 
to procure supplies for the family. As this journey of 
some twenty miles was to be performed on foot, he would 



C O M M E :\T ORATION. < , 

be obliged to be gone over night. He left his wife and in- 
fant child alone, little thinking but that he should find 
them safe on his return. The wife and mother was busy 
with her household cares, and happy in them and in 
watching and caring for the little one God had given to 
comfort and cheer her in her forest home. As night came 
on, not a fear, or hardly a thought of loneliness came over 
her. She retired to rest happy and contented; but who 
can imagine her feelings, when on awaking in the middle 
of the night, she found her infant child dead by her side! 
During the remainder of the night she watched over her 
dead child. In the morning she laid it out as best she 
could, dressing it for the grave; and during all the long 
hours cf that lonely day, how anxiously she watched and 
w 7 aited; now bus}' about some household care — now 
gazing, with feelings a mother only knows, upon the face 
of the dead — and now waiting and wishing for the return 
of the husband and father. The long hours of that lonely 
day wore away at last. The sun had sunk to rest behind 
the western hills, and the shades of night were gathering 
around her humble home. Long had she been watching 
and listening for the coming of the absent one, and she be- 
gan to fear that another night sh a must watch alone with 
the dead; but now she hears his footsteps approaching; she 
hastens to meet him; not a word is spoken, but the look 
on his wife's face tells him that sorrow has come* to their 
home, and the strong man bursts into tears. Neither of 
them can find words to express their thoughts, and 
silently, and in tears, they enter their cabin and gaze upon 
the cold, lifeless form of their firstborn. 

In the summer of 1818, the trustees of Monson Acad- 
emy, anxious to procure settlers to locate on their grant, 
sent Abel Goodell to explore the township, and thus be 
able to recommend to others to come here to find or rather 
make for themselves homes. He came for that purpose, 
but was prevented by a severe freshet from making such 
an exploration as to satisfy either himself or those who 



'° SEMI-CENTENNIAL 



sent him. He, however, concluded the next year that he 
would move here himself, and did something to influence 
others to the same resolve. The trustees offered one h 
dred acres to actual settlers. 

In the fall of 1819, Capt. Amasa Chapin traded with the 

aThlf ^^^^ f ° r ° ,le mile ^-of land £ h 
east half of this town, taking the same in part pay for his 
farm m Monson, Mass. He at once set out with his fam- 
ily for the place which was to be his future home He 

WinCim "J" 'I" " Abb0t ' alKl there found a h °-e 
which he could purchase, where he lived until the spring 

of iSao. In the meantime, he selected his lot of land and 
commenced to clear his farm. He felled ten acres of trees 
mi8 2 o and raised a small house, which was so far fin- 
ished that they moved into it the March following This 

;L th c\a I p-n e f r. ownedby his so - a - d *-*» k — » 

anl^rrr'' T% ^ SamUel Whitaey ' J Ustin Co ^n 
and Wilhan A. Hyde, with their families, and Calvin Col- 
ton and Lucius Hyde, leaving their families behind until 
the next winter, and Royal Day, Austin Newell and Ho- 
ratio Sherman, single men, seventeen in all, came from 
Monson, Mass., and commenced a settlement, where the 
village now stands, and in the south-eastern part of the 
town. With the coming of these men and others that soon 
followed, the prospects of the place brightened Thev 
were men of character and of influence, and were possessed 
of more means than those who had before settled in this 
town. Their homes had hitherto been homes of comfort 
and refinement, and they were determined to establish 
similar ones in the place which they had chosen for their 
future residence. 

They left Monson, Mass., in April, part of them taking 
a sail packet at Boston for Bangor-for this was before the 
days of steam navigation-and part coming all the way by 
land. They were about three weeks on the way, both 
parties arnving about the same time and spending the 



C O M M E M OR AT I ON. T T 

Sabbath, May 7th, at Capt. Chapin's, in Abbot, where 
they left the women and children for a few days, coming 
here on Monday, May 8th. They stopped a few days in 
Mr. Stanchfield's house, and then went to Mr. Atkinson's, 
where they found a home until they could clear away the 
forest sufficiently to build a house, which was soon ready 
for their reception. This house stood on the spot where 
H. G. Sherman's house now stands, and was the first house 
in this village and the second framed house in town. It 
was the home of Capt. Whitney as long as he was a resi- 
dent of this town, and for several years was a temporary 
home for quite a number of other families, they stopping 
here until they could construct some sort of a house for 
themselves. 

In the winter and spring of 1822 and 1823, no less than 
five families found a home in this house at the same time. 
These were the families of Samuel Whitney, James Whit- 
ing, William A. Hyde, Lucius Hyde and Alexander Green- 
wood, in all twenty-four persons, and this in a house 
twenty-two feet by thirty and unfinished. In this house, 
the first birth in the east half of the town, and the first in 
the families from Massachusetts after their arrival here, 
occurred on the first day of January, 1821. This was a 
daughter to William A. Hyde and wife. This child is now 
Mrs. Catherine M. Giddings, of Portland. 

On the first Sabbath after this colony from Massachu- 
setts arrived here, they had a meeting for religious worship. 
This meeting, which was holden in the house built by Mr. 
Bearce, was, as nearly as I can learn, the first religious 
meeting in town, with the exception of two funerals; the 
I first that of Mr. Bearce, which has been mentioned already; 
and the other, that of a child of Samuel Rowe, which was 
attended by Elder Macomber, of Guilford. It was soon 
seen that meetings in the south-western part of the town 
[would better accommodate the settlers there, and also afford 
Ian opportunity for some families who had settled on Million 
Acres — now Blanchard — to attend. Arrangements were 



T2 SEMI-CENTENNIAE 

therefore made for a meeting at the house of Abiel Packard 
on the first Sabbath in June. Of this meeting Mr. Newell, 
who assisted in conducting this and all the meetings until a 
minister was obtained, in a letter recently received, says: 
"The house was filled to overflowing, men, women and 
children. Some of the women came five or six miles bare- 
foot, with their best on, which we should think at this time 
was rather plain." The next Sabbath they met again at 
the same place, and finding the interest unabated they or- 
ganized a Sabbath School, and concluded to continue the 
meetings at the same place through the summer. After 
this, for some two years, the meetings were held in the 
house of James Stanchfield. Then a school house having 
been erected near the center of the town, the meetings were 
held there until the erection of a church edifice afforded a 
still more convenient place for public worship. 

It is pleasing to look back and see that those early 
settlers, amid all the privations of frontier life, found com- 
fort and happiness in the worship oi the great Creator; 
that as soon as they arrived in this then wilderness, not- 
withstanding all the cares that were pressing upon them, 
they had the disposition, and found time to assemble on 
God's holy day; and to establish in the early history of the 
town the public worship of God, and the study of His word 
in the Sabbath School; which, I am glad to be able to say, 
have been sustained to this day. In relation to the coming 
of these men, and to the influence which they exerted upon 
tne people, one who was here when they came, recently 
said: "It now seems, as I look back upon their coming, 
like a light shining in upon a dark place. Before they 
came there was but little regard for the Sabbath or for any- 
thing sacred; but after their coming all fe was changed. 
Soon, instead of hunting and fishing on Sunday, we formed 
the habit of going to meeting; and I believe that the good 
influence of those men still lives here." 

In the summer of 1820, the dam across the outlet of the 
pond, flowing the pond and thus rendering more valnable 



COMMEMORATION. 13 

the water-power in this place, was built. At this time, the 
water-power, with one mile square of land — lot No. 10 — 
was the property of Whitney, Hyde and Fay. In the 
summer and autumn of 1821, they erected a saw-mill and 
grist-mill, near where the present mills now stand. The 
present grist-mill was built by T. Davee, in the year 1841. 
Mr. Fay never came here to live, and soon after sold out his 
interest to Frederic F. Gates, who, with his family, came 
here in the spring of 1823 to make a home. Soon after 
this the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Whitney keeping 
the mills, Mr. Gates the northern and Mr. Hyde the 
southern part of their tract of land. 

In the spring of 1820, about three weeks after the first 
emigrants from Monson, Mass., arrived, Isaac Tyler — 
whom we all know — then a young man, came from New 
Gloucester, and commenced to clear land near where he 
now lives. On the tenth day of March, 1822, he moved 
into town with his wife, whom he had just married, and 
lived about two months in the house with Mr. Atkinson, 
until he had erected a part of the house which he now 
occupies. 

In February, 1822, Andrew Cushman and wife, with a 
family of seven children, came from the town of Oxford. 
Mr. C. had been here the year previous and felled trees. 
He commenced on the farm now occupied by Jeremiah 
Daine. Mr. Cushman 's was the fifteenth family in town. 
The same spring, Austin Newell brought his wife, whom 
he had returned to Monson, Mass., to marry; and with 
them came Hiram Vinton, and that year commenced op- 
erations where he now lives. He returned to Massachu- 
setts in the fall, and did not move here until the spring of 
1825. 

In the spring of 1822, there also came from Oxford 
County, Cyrus Packard, William Bowker and Cornelius 
Barrows. They commenced farms, raising some crops 
that season, and preparing places to live in, which they 
soon after occupied with their wives. Zibeon Packard 



14 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

came about the same time. Abel Goodell, who came in 
1818 to explore the township, left Monson, Mass.-, in the 
spring of 1821. Leaving his family in Harmony, he came 
here and commenced to clear his farm. The next winter 
he moved his family as far as Guilford, where they staid 
one year. He seems, however, to have been considered a 
resident in this tcv\ii, \cting and olding office in 1822, 
though his family did not arrive here until May, 1823. 

Although there appears to have been but twenty-one 
voters here in April, 1822, and only twenty-five votes cast 
for Governor in September of the same year, yet upon an 
old tax-list of 1822, sent me by Mr. Newell, the first col- 
lector, I find the names of thirty-two resident tax-payers. 
The names on that list, not already mentioned, are Nathan- 
iel Bennett, Reuben Cushman, Samuel Tobin, George 
Hathaway and Isaac Stone. Hathaway and Stone were 
young men employed to work that season for Capt. Chapin. 
The others lived here with their families and probably 
came in 1821 or the spring of 1822. 

In October, 1822, James Whiting and family, five in all, 
came from Monson, Mass., and lived with Mr. Whitney 
and Mr. Atkinson, until Mr. Whiting could build a house, 
when they moved on to the place since known as the 
Whiting farm. 

In the spring of 1823, Alexander Greenwood, Esq.,* 
who had been employed by the trustees of Hebron Acad- 
emy in 181 1, to lot their portion of this township, and 
afterwards by Monson Academy to survey and lot the 
remainder of the town, moved from Hebron and settled on 
the farm now occupied by Llewellyn Moore. 

In the same summer Samuel Robinson, Zenas Scales, 
Abel Janes and Daniel Wallace came and settled in this 
town. In October of the same year, Joseph Goodell and 
Dr. A. Davison, came from Vermont, Mr. Goodell com- 
mencing on the farm where he now lives, Dr. Davison 
moving into Dea. Hyde's house, which had been built 
that summer. This is the house where J. P. Haynes now 

*Killed by the falling of a tree in the spring of 1827. 



COMMEMORATION. 1 5 

lives, and was the second house built in this village. Here 
Dr. Davison lived until 1825, in the summer of which 
yeaa he built the house where James and J. C. Stanchfield 
now live, and moved into it in the autumn. Some time 
during this year Samuel and Zebedee Thomas and John 
Packard settled in the west part of the town. Daniel 
Briggs also came the same year. 

In 1824, I find that William Connor, Simeon Davee, 
John Crafts, Solomon Cushman, John Morton and Oliver 
Eveleth, became residents of this town. 

In May of this year, a fire, which started on what is now 
the common, where the forest was being cleared off, 
threatened to destroy what buildings there were in the vi- 
cinity. All the help that could be mustered, men, women 
and children, were obliged to work hard for a day and 
night to save the mills, two dwelling houses and one or 
two out-buildings then starting where the village now is. 

In the year 1824 or 1825, the Post Oifice in this town 
was established. Before this, all the mail matter designed 
for this place stopped at Sangerviile, and the inhabitants 
here were obliged to go twelve miles to mail or to get a 
letter or paper. Frederic F. Gates was the first Pest 
Master and Hiram Doughty the first mail-carrier. Mr. D. 
w T as succeeded, in a short time, by Benj. Stanchfield, who, 
every Saturday for two years, went on foot to Esq. Kelsey's 
in Guilford, returning the same day, with the mail, and 
being obliged to cross the Piscataquis river twice each way, 
in the best manner he could — for there was no bridge — in 
order to leave the mail at the Post Office in Abbot. For 
this service the government paid these men two shillings 
a trip, or a little more than one cent for each mile of travel. 
They usually had some errands to do for the inhabitants, 
for which they received some trifling compensation. As 
they approached the Post Office, and sometimes as they 
passed the houses, they sounded a trumpet before them, 
not as did the Pharisee of old, to parade his religion, but 
to inform the people that the mail was coming, and that 



l6 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

there was an opportunity for any one who wished to send 
errands. In 1827, the mail was carried by Deacon Fuller 
from Bangor to Monson, once a week; and in 1831, it com- 
menced to be carried three times a week. 

In 1825, also, the first minister was settled in this town. 
This was the Rev. Lot Ryder. The ordination took place 
in the barn of Capt. S. Whitney. There were present to 
assist in the ordination five clergymen, namely, Rev. Mr. 
Fargo of Solon, Prof. Smith of Bangor, Rev. Mr. Peet of 
Norridgewock, Rev. Mr. Williams of Foxcroft and Rev. 
Mr. Sheldon of Brownville. Mr. Ryder did not labor long 
here, for in September following, only about six months 
after his ordination, he was called away from earth into his 
eternal reward. 

In the same year, 1825, the first store was opened in 
this town. Oliver Eveleth, who came here the year before, 
built his store that summer and commenced trade the 
autumn following. Solomon Cushman commenced trade 
about the same time. They were the only traders here 
until 1850, when T. S. Pullen, from Winthrop, came and 
commenced trade; since which time there has been no lack 
cf traders in the place. Mr. Eveleth continued to trade 
where he first commenced for more than twenty-five years, 
when he moved to Greenville, where he still lives. 

In the autumn of this year, 1825, the great fire which 
swept over so large a portion of this State, occurred. In 
this town, though no buildings were' destroyed, great 
damage was done by the burning of large tracts of timber 
land. Many of the buildings were in great danger, and it 
was only by tne most strenuous efforts, and in some cases 
it seemed only by a direct interposition of Providence, that 
they were saved. 

In 1826, no less than nine men, most of them having fam- 
ilies, moved into town. They were Capt. J. Matthews, R. 
K. Packard, Joseph Barrett, Roland Taylor, Warren. Dud- 
ley, Joshua Buck, David Goodell, Benjamin Ward and 
John B. Packard. In 1827, came Joseph Booth, H. G. O. 



COMMEMORATION. I 7 

Harmon, George Dunham, William Goding and Abel 
Jewett. In 1828, Abner Brown,* William D. Hoar, Mil- 
ton Hoar, Thomas Towns and Solomon Bray. Mr. Bray 
probably had the largest family ever living in this town, 
fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, all of 
whom lived to be men and women. I have thus far en- 
deavored to give the names and the date of their coming 
of all the settlers in the town. Some names have probably 
been omitted, and there may be some errors in the dates, 
but I think they will usually be found correct. 

It would be interesting to continue the history of the 
town in its particulars to the present time, but we have 
space now only to glance at a few incidents. 

In the spring of 1831, the village was threatened with 
entire destruction by fire. The fire originated on land of 
William D. Hoar, where he was burning off the wood, pre- 
paratory to a crop. Most of the men were away to a rais- 
ing, and the women turned out en masse, and success- 
full)' contended with the destroying element until help ar- 
rived and the dwelliugs were all saved. 

In the summer of 1S31, the first church edifice in town 
was completed and dedicated to the worship of the Most 
High. The nearest meeting house at that time was at 
Bangor on the one hand, and at Skowhegan on the other; 
and the church bell, summoning the people to the service 
of the sanctuary, was heard over these hills and through 
these valleys, when for a distance of forty or fifty miles on 
either hand no such sound broke the stillness of the Sab- 
bath morn. This church — which was framed by R. K. 
Packard, and was the first building framed by him by the 
square rule — was destroyed by fire in i860, and rebuilt the 
following year. 

In 1840 the population had increased to live hundred 
forty-eight. 

In the year 1845, the Baptist meeting-house was built 
and dedicated to the worship of God in the autumn of the 
same year. In 1850 the number of inhabitants was six 

*Mr. Brown fc 11 dead in the street, August 7. 1854. 



1 8 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

hundred fifty-four, and in i860, it was seven hundred and 
eight. 

Mav 27, i860, will long be remembered as an eventful 
day for Monson. Soon after noon on that pleasant Sab- 
bath day , a fire was discovered issuing from a stable at- 
tached to the hotel of Nelson Savage. In the short space 
of two hours, about forty buildings were entirely destroyed, 
with a large portion of their contents. Among the build- 
ings destroyed weje two hotels, two stores, one meeting- 
house, shops, dwelling-houses, barns, &c. Seldom has 
a village the size of ours suffered so severely by fire. Four 
dwelling houses had been destroyed by fire previous to 
this time: that of Samuel Rowe, in the winter of 18 18 and 
1819, Calvin Colton's in the spring of 1823, George 
Doughty 's in 1836, and A. G. Houston's in 1853. 

When the war for the maintenance and perpetuity of 
slavery in our land, and for the destruction of our country, 
broke out, and was being waged with such desperate fury, 
the town of Monson was not slow to hear the calls for men 
to enter into the service of their country, and hazard their 
lives to preserve and transmit to posterity the institutions 
and blessings of a free government. During the four years 
of that fearful conflict, no less than eighty-four of our citi- 
zens left their happy homes, many of them leaving behind 
dependent families, and, entering the army, braving all 
the dangers and privations of the camp and of the battle- 
field, devoted themselves to the work of saving their coun- 
try. The names* of these men should be remembered with 
gratitude and affection, and their devotion to the cause of 
liberty should be sacredly cherished by us and by those 
who shall come after us, as worthy of imitation. Twenty 
of these men returned to us no more. They fell on the 
battle-field, or sickened and died in camp or hospital. 
Three returned just in season to die with their friends, and 
they sleep near us in the 'grave. 

In the summer of 1870, discoveries were made which 
promise to be of no little advantage to the financial in- 



COMMEMORATION. 1 9 

terests of the place. I refer to the discovery of rich de- 
posits of slate near the centre of the town, the manufacture 
of which has but just begun. 

Four persons have met with death by drowning in this 
town; three in Hebron pond and one near the outlet of the 
same. John T. Delano was drowned Dec. 4, 1822; Al- 
fred Ely, son of Samuel Robinson, July 4, 1831; Streeter 
Strout in the autumn of 1840, and Charles M. Tarr, July 
10, 1858. 

The oldest person who has lived in town was Mrs. 
Stephenson, who lived in the family of Capt. Mathews, 
and died in August, 1841, aged ninety-six years. 

There are two couples now living in this town, who have 
been married more than fifty years and have been residents 
of this town during the whol^ of their wedded lives. I 
refer to Horatio Sherman and wife, whose golden wedding 
should have been celebrated on the sixth day of January 
last; and to Isaac Tyler and wife, who should have re- 
ceived a like token of affection and respect the twenty- 
second day of last February. The couple in town who 
have been longest married are Moses Crafts and wife, who 
were married in 18 16, fifty-six years ago; thirty-nine 
years of this time they have been residents of this town. 

During the first years of our town's history, as money 
was not so plenty as grain, most of the taxes were paid in 
grain, the town at its annual meeting each year establish- 
ing by vote the price at which grain should be received in 
payment for taxes. And the town officers, school teachers, 
&c, were expected to receive the same in compensation 
for their services. This practice was continued until the 
year 1831. The usual price of grain was wheat seven 
shillings sixpence, rye five shillings, and corn four shillings 
sixpence. 

Let us now consider the character of the men who were 
foremost in conducting the affairs of the town in its early 
history, and who, in doing this, left the impress of their 

*See Appendix 



2 O S E M I-CENT E X X I A L 

own minds and lives upon the inhabitants; exerting an in- 
fluence which is still felt, and will be, far into the future. 
The first and most pleasing thought in my mind, as I re- 
member these men and think of their early hostory, is that 
they w r ere men of piety. This will lead me to speak more 
particularly of the religious history of the place; of the 
first meetings and Sabbath School I have already spcken. 
For some two or three years but very little preaching was 
enjoyed by the inhabitants, yet they did not neglect the 
assembling of themselves together for religious worship. 
Says one who came here in 1822, "It was nothing unusual 
for men to yoke their oxen to sleds or carts on Sabbath 
morning, and take their families four or five miles to meet- 
ing, and get there in good season. If they owned a horse, 
almost always two would ride at once, the woman seated 
behind her husband. I can think of not more than one or 
two men who did not go to meeting when we came here." 
When they had no preaching, a sermon was almost always 
read, Deacon E. Hyde usually reading. Occasionally, 
Elder Hall, of Parkman, preached in the place and his 
visits were always welcomed. Elder Macomber, of Guil- 
ford, and others, also came occasionally. In August, 

1 82 1, Rev. John Sawyer, better known as Father Sawyer, 
visited the place. At that time the Congregational Church 
was formed. This church was composed at first of but 
seven members, viz., Amasa Chapin, Cynthia Chapin, 
Eucius Hyde, Achsa Hyde, William A. Hyde, Marcia Hyde 
and Austin Newell. This was on Saturday, the eleventh 
of August. The next day Abel Goodell arrived, having 
come from Harmony — where he was stopping with his 
family — on purpose to be here at the formation of the 
church, but was not able to get here in season. He was 
received as a member, and he and Eucius Hyde were 
chosen deacons. Of the original members of this church 
only two are now living, Austin Newell, of Monson, Ma»s. 
and William A. Hyde, of Portland. In the autumn of 

1822, a man by the name of Stone was sent here by the 



COMMEMORATION. 2 1 

Maine Missionary Society, and preached some six Sab- 
baths. The following winter Father Sawyer was here, 
teaching school during the week and preaching on the 
Sabbath. In December, 1823, Rev. Henry White came 
ai)d spent nearly six months. 

The first pastor settled over this church and people was 
Rev. Lot Ryder, who commenced his labors here in No- 
vember, 1824, was ordained in March, 1825, and died in 
the September following. 

The next regular preaching enjoyed in this town was 
that of Rev. Anson Hubbard, who commenced his labors in 
September, 1827, and was dismissed in August, 1834. He 
was succeeded by Rev. John Baker, who was ordained in 
September, 1835. This relation continued about four 
years. Rev. Horatio Ilsley commenced preaching in this 
place, in July, 1840, and remained pastor of the church 
fifteen years. He was succeeded by Rev. R. W. Em- 
erson, in May, 1856. The events which have transpired 
since that time are within the recollection of nearly all 
present. The whole number connected with this church 
since its formation, is two hundred fifty-three; present 
number ninety-two. 

The Baptist church in this place was formed Aug. 10, 
1827, consisting at first of fourteen members, viz: Daniel 
Wallace, Andrew Cushman, James Stanchfield, Elijah 
Briggs, Daniel Briggs, Benj. Ward, Asa Piper, Hannah 
Stanchfield, Harriet Cushman, Mary A. Wallace, Olive 
Wallace, Anna Cushman, Eovey Day and Dorcas Atkin- 
son. Of these, only two are now living, viz: Mrs. Han- 
nah Dow, formerly Hannah Stanchfield, and Mrs. Harriet 
Howe, fojmerly Harriet Cushman. This church was 
without any stated preaching for several years, occasion- 
ally enjoying the ministrations of some neighboring min- 
ister for a few Sabbaths. Rev. Mr. Page, Rev. H. Seaver, 
Rev. H. Hunting, and Rev. E. C. Cressey labored with 
them, each for a short time. The first pastor settled with 
them was Rev. Eebbeus Kingman, who commenced his 



2 2 -EM I -CENTENNIAL 

labors here in September. 1S42. and remained nearly three 
years. He was succeeded by Rev. Lucius Bradford, in 
October, 1845, who remained six years. Rev. D. P. 
Bailey commenced his labors with this church in Novem- 
ber. 1853, and as you all know has recently left us. having 
labored here eighteen years, a longer time than any other 
minister has sustained the relation of pastor in this town. 
The whole number connected with this church since its 
formation is two hundred and thirty; present number 
eighty- seven. 

Thus have the people of this town, for more than fifty 
vears, enjoyed the stated worship of God on the Sabbath, 
and most of the time the preaching of the gospel. - Xor 
have these privileges been in vain. Often have those who 
have labored to sustain the institutions of religion felt that 
thev were abundantly rewarded by God's blessing on their 
efforts. Early in the history of religious meetings in this 
town, two of the first settlers, Samuel Whitney and wife. 

Line deeply interested in tht matter of personal religion, 
and embraced the first opportunity to unite with the church 
of Christ. Often has there been a deep and general in- 

st in religious matters, and many have been savingly 
benefited. The first of these seasons was in the spring of 
1825, during the labors of the first minister: again in 1828; 
in 1831; in the winter of 1837-8; the winter of 1841-2; the 
winter and spring of 1843; next in the winter of 1847-8; 
again in 1S49: the spring of 1S56 and in the winter of : : 
-3. And who can doubt that the interest felt at the pres- 
ent time in these matters, is in part the fruit of the seed 
sown in the early settlement of our town. 

Again, these men were men of correct moral lives. Their 
example was good. The influence they exerted was felt 
for good upon those who came within the circle of that in- 
fluence. No immorality was countenanced by them; 
nothing that would have a tendency to lead the young in 
the paths of dissipation and vice was tolerated. Thus 
early did our town acquire a name for respectability and 



COMMEMORATION. 23 

morality which has always been an advantage to us. It is 
a matter of gratitude, and one for which we as citizens of 
Monson have reason to rejoice, that for the last ten years 
there has been no place in town where intoxicating drinks 
have been kept for sale. 

The hotel here during that time has been conducted on 
strictly temperance principles, by one* of the early settlers 
of the place, who came here when a boy, more than fifty 
years ago. Who can doubt that the correct moral senti- 
ment which prevails among us, and the comparative ex- 
emption from dissipation and vice with which we have ever 
been favored, is due largely to the example and influence 
of those men. They were men of intelligence. They knew 
and felt the importance of infusing into the commuuity, 
and especially into the minds of the young, a knowledge of 
the world and of the things which were transpiring in the 
various walks of life; and so much of a knowledge of the 
arts and sciences as would fit them for the various positions 
in life which they might be called to fill. And, after caring 
for their own, and the spiritual interests of those around 
them, one of their first offorts was to provide schools suit- 
able for the proper instruction of the young. The first 
school in town was kept in the house of James Stanchfield, 
in the winter of 182 1-2. This was before the incorporation 
of the town, and I infer must have been sustained by pri- 
vate enterprise. It was, however, free to all who were 
able to avail themselves of it. It was taught by Lucius 
Hyde, and I learn that there were about twenty scholars in 
all. The second school was held in the same place the 
following winter, and was taught by Father Sawyer. In 
the summer of 1S23, a school-house was erected near the 
centre of the town, and the succeeding winter the school, 
taught by Dr. Davison, was in that house. For some 
years there was only one school in town: many of the 
scholars going two or three miles to attend. But in those 
days, and by those hardy pioneers, such a walk was not 



*A. Chapin, Esq. 



2\ SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

deemed the hardship which it would now be considered. 

In the year 1827 or 1828, a school was commenced in 
that part of the town known as the Day neighborhood; and 
soon the various parts of the town had schools of their own. 
From that time to the present, all the scholars in town 
have enjoyed a convenient opportunity of attending school 
a part of each year. 

In the year 1848, the first Academy was erected, thus 
affording the scholars of this town and vicinity an oppor- 
tunity to attend school at seasons of the year when the dis- 
trict schools were not in session, and also to pursue those 
studies not taught in the common schools. This building 
was consumed by fire, March, i860, and replaced by the 
present Academy building the next year. During the 
first four years after the organization of the town, the sums 
raised for the support of schools amounted to $250, while 
all other taxes, excepting that of labor on highways, 
amounted to only $280. Do we not see here the foundation 
for the intelligence which has ever characterized the in- 
habitants of our town? 

Some estimate of the entelligence of our people may be 
formed from the fact, that at the present time, there are 
taken in this town, with a population of not over sevei! 
hundred, one hundred seventy-three numbers of weekl 
papers, eighty-four of monthlies, six semi-monthly and five 
daily. Of the weekly papers, one hundred nineteen are 
published in Maine, twenty-four in Massachusetts, eleve 
in New York, one in New Hampshire, one in Vermont, one 
in Illinois, two in Pennsylvania, one in Colorado, twelve in 
Ohio, and one in Iowa. They were men of courage, en- 
ergy and perseverance; in a word, the men and women who 
came into the wilderness, and by their own labors, priva- 
tions and hardships, laid the foundations of the happy 
homes we now possess, were plucky men and women. 
Meeting obstacles with determination, enduring hardships 
with fortitude, contending w T ith poverty, and suffering all 
the privations incident to a new settlement with patience 



COMMEMORATION. 25 

and perseverance. 

These traits of character in these individuals, and their 
circumstances, together with the privations, labors and 
difficulties which were the price paid for the privileges we 
now enjoy, will be illustrated by a few anecdotes pertain- 
ing to the -early settlement of the town. Bnt few of the 
many stories of those early days to which I have listened 
with so much interest during the past few days, shall I 
have time to mention now. In the spring of 181 7, Mrs. 
Doughty came from Abbot, and while her husband was 
laboring to meet the present wants of the family, and 
clearing land for a future crop, with only the assistance 
whicn her small boys could give in piling the brush and 
burning off the same, with her own hands planted the 
potatoes which she had purchased with her own labor at 
one dollar a bushel. To do this, Mrs. D. and her little 
boys had to walk some four miles. These potatoes Mrs. 
Doughty watched and cared for with her own labor, and 
helped to harvest in the autumn; thus providing for the 
family a very important part of their living during the first 
year they resided in town. 

When Mr. Goodell came from Monson, Mass., in 18 18, 
to explore the eastern half of the township, with the view 
of getting up a colony to settle here, he stopped at Mr. 
Doughty's. The object of his visit was known, and they 
were anxious to bestow upon him all the attention they 
could, in order to make as favorable an impression as pos- 
sible upon his mind concerning the place. But unfor- 
tunately they had no bread nor materials with which to 
make any; and their neighbors were as destitute as them- 
selves. Neither conld they furnish their guest with any 
meat, but there were potatoes in the ground, and corn in 
the field. These they gathered and cooked for dinner. 
On this food, and the butter afforded them by their cow, 
they and company feasted. 

Neighbors were few and far between* Often many days 
would pass, and no individuals except members of the 



l6 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

family would be seen. At one time, after Mr. Stanchfield's 
family moved into their house, three or four weeks passed 
without their seeing anyone; when, seeing some neighbors 
approaching, they were frightened, supposing them to be 
Indians. But these fears were groundless, for the settlers 
in this vicinity were never troubled by the red -man. 

The nearest place where the inhabitants could get their 
grain ground was Sangerville, and the first settlers were 
compelled to carry their corn and wheat, often on their 
backs, twelve miles, most of the way through the woods, 
following a spotted line, returning in the same way with 
the meal. It was considered a day's work for a man thus 
to carry one bushel to mill and return with the same at 
night. 

Joseph D. Jackson says, when he was a boy it was his 
stent to go to Sangerville and back with one-half bushel of 
corn or wheat on his shoulder. As he grew larger he was 
required to take three pecks, and when any boy could per- 
form the journey in a day and carry a bushel, he began to 
think himself a man. Much of the time they were re- 
quired to perform this task as often as once a week. 

In December, 1819, James Stanchfield, Jr., went to 
Sangerville to mill with a horse, carrying about three 
bushels of grain on the horse's back. He got his grist and 
started for home about noon; had to ford the river and one 
brook, doing which he got wet. This was the day long 
known as the "dark day," when something obscured the 
rays of the sun, so that soon after noon it began to grow 
dark. When Mr. S. got as far as Capt. Chapin's, in 
Abbot, he stopped, thinking to spend the night, but on 
finding the time of day, he thought he could get home well 
enough and started on. The remainder of the story I will 
relate, as nearly as possible, in his own words: "When I 
got within about five miles of home, I came to the green 
woods. There was but little more than a spotted line. I 
found I could not follow the path and trusted to the horse 
to find the way. I soon became satisfied that we were 



COMMEMORATION. 27 

going wrong. The horse refused to go. The darkness of 
night now came on. I tried to go forward, but soon got 
entangled in some trees that were blown down, and I 
could not tell which way to go. I had flint and spunk in 
in\- pocket, and tried to kindle a fire, but soon dropped 
my flint and could not find it. I unloaded the bags from 
the horse and made my supper of dry meal. I was -wet 
and grew very cold — a sort of ague fit attacked me, so that 
my teeth chattered against each other. I was obliged to 
keep myself from perishing with cold by stamping and 
walking around. In this way I spent the night, not 
daring to sleep for fear of perishing. As soon as it was 
light, I tied the horse, and went to look for the path. I 
found that I had wandered about half a mile out of the 
way. I made my breakfast of dry meal and started for 
home; reached Mr. Rowe's about nine in the morning, 
suffering very much with cold and fatigue." 

The mode of traveling through the country in those days 
was quite different from what it is now. No less than 
three families came all the way from Monson, Mass., a 
distance of some three hundred miles, with ox teams. Mr. 
Hiram Vinton and Calvin Colton were three weeks making 
the journey, and Mr. R. Day w r as four weeks, being de- 
tained on the road one week by sickness. Deacon Cush- 
raan was fourteen days coming with his family from Ox- 
ford, with the same means of conveyance, in February, 
1822, finding the roads obstructed with snow part of the 
way. 

Mrs. Sherman says: "One year, just about harvest time, 
we got out of breadstuff, and so did our neighbors; and 
for some days we were obliged to live on potatoes, until 
we could thrash out a little rye, which we dried in a kettle 
over the fire. The first apples I saw in Monson, Mr. 
Sherman bought in Sangerville, paying a bushel of corn 
for a bushel of very poor apples, and bringing them home 
on his back; and I suppose he carried the corn from home 
in the same way." 



2(S SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Mr. Joseph Jackson at one time went to Bangor with a I 
horse, and bought four bushels of corn. Finding this too 
much load for his horse, he shouldered one bushel himself, 
and putting three bushels on his horse, in this manner 
transported his corn to his home, a distance of fifty miles. 

One spring, Deacon Goodell, after preparing his land for 
a crop, was without a stfficient quantity of seed. So, 
leaving his home early in the morning, he went to Sanger- 
ville, a distance of at least ten miles, and purchased four 
bushels of wheat. This he put in two bags, and shoulder- 
ing one of them started for home. When he grew weary 
with his load, he laid it down beside the path and rested 
himself while returning for the other bag. This he carried 
past the first, and again recuperated his strength while 
going back for the other bag of grsin. Thus alternating 
between carrying his load and returning for the same, he 
reached his home in the evening of the same day; having 
traveled on foot not less than forty miles, and one-half of 
the distance with two bushels of wheat on his back. This 
seems almost incredible, and I would not relate it here 
were it not so well authenticated as to leave in my mind no 
doubt of its truth. 

In the autumn of 1822, Hiram Vinton and Abel Janes, 
after spending the summer here, started for their homes in 
Massachusetts. They walked to 'Hallo well, where they 
took a boat for Boston; arriving there they again started 
on foot. They spent the night a short distance out of Bos- 
ton. In the morning, starting before light, they walked to 
Worcester, a distance of thirty-five miles, before breakfast. 
Then stopping to buy some gingerbread, they kept on 
their way, eating as they went. Mr. Janes stopped in 
Brimfield, having walked only about sixty-four miles, and 
just as the shades of night were coming on, Mr. Vinton 
reached the village of Monson, having gone on foot during 
the day, seventy-miles. 

Quite a number of families have lived in houses where 
only part of the roof was shingled; with only apart, and 



COMMEMORATION. 2() 

perhaps none, of the ground covered with a floor; and 
with no windows, the light coming in through the cracks 
or through oiled paper. I have heard my mother say that 
man)- times, wdiile in bed, she has looked out through the 
cracks in the sides of the house and seen the stars. I 
might multiply these instances of hardship and privation 
on the part of the early inhabitants of this town, but these 
are sufficient to show us something of the difficulties to be 
overcome in the settlement of a new place fifty years ago. 

Half a century has passed since our town commenced its 
existence, and what mighty changes have taken place 
within those fifty years. In the world of letters and of 
science, great advancement has been witnessed; discoveries 
and inventions have been made, which would have been 
pronounced impossible by our fathers. The application of 
steam to machinery has wrought a complete revolution in 
the method of traveling, both by land and by water, and 
also in many of the manufacturing interests of our country . 
The electric telegraph now, on lightning's wings conveys, 
from shore to shore, and from land to land, the intelligence, 
which fiftv vears ago was w r eeks or months in being- 
transmitted. The implements used by our fathers in ag- 
ricultural and manufacturing pursuits, have long since 
been laid aside as useless, and others, vastly superior in 
appearance and utility, have taken their places. 

In the moral sentiments of the community, changes no 
less important or noticeable have taken place. Fifty years 
ago, and scarcely one, even in our own New England, had 
ventured to raise his voice against that oppression which 
was even then working for the dastruction of our political 
and religious institutions. Fifty years ago, and no one 
thought it any harm to use as a beverage, intoxicating 
drinks; it was only the man who became entirely drunk 
that was supposed to be in any danger; the moderate and 
careful use of alcoholic drinks was then thought to be not 
only harmless but absolutely necessary. In these and 
many other matters, great changes for the better have been 



30 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

made. 

It is true, that we cannot speak of growth in population 
or in wealth, in any measure equal to that of many places, 
especially of many parts of the western portion of our 
country. In the rural towns of New England, growth in 
these respects is comparatively slow. There is in most of 
these towns — and that has always been the case with us 
— a constant drain of the population going to occnpy the 
rich fields that are ever opening in the far West, and in- 
viting our young men to come and occupy them. A very 
large portion of those who have been reared in our town 
have gone to other parts of the land and some to foreign 
countries, to find for themselves homes, while those that 
have remained and those who have come among us, have 
but little more than kept good the population of the place. 
This constant emigration of our citizens, and especially 
of the young, seems discouraging; but we do well tore- 
member that they are gone to exert an influence upon the 
character of the communities where the}^ dwell; and many 
of them are helping to form the sentiment of the young and 
rapidly growing places in our western states. Thus is the 
circle of influence which pervades our own and most New 
England towns, extending itself and being felt all over the 
land. 

I have often wondered what would be the condition and 
the prospects of our western States, if the influences which 
have gone and are continually going from New England, 
were cut off. We have been considering the condition of 
our town fifty years ago, and comparing in our minds then 
with now. L,et us look forward as far as we are able into 
the years to come, and ask ourselves what shall be the fu- 
ture of our community? It is for us largely to shape the 
destinies, and to mould the characters of our posterity. 
We have received a rich legacy from our fathers, not of 
gold and of silver, but rather of piety and of true moral 
worth. This it is for us to hand down to our posterity, 
unimpaired and improved. If we cultivate those virtues, 



COMMEMORATION. 3 I 

and imitate those traits of character which we admire in 
those who have gone before us, then may we expect that 
those who shall come after us will cherish our memories 
with affection, and be made better by striving to imitate 
our examples. 

Fifty years hence, and who will be the actors on the 
stage of life in this place? This we cannot tell; but of this 
much there can be but little doubt: the voice that now 
addresses you, and most of the ears that now listen to me, 
will be still and dull in death. We shall most of us have 
passed away, and others will have taken our places. The 
seasons will come and go, the sun will shine as brightly 
and the showers descend as softly as now. The earth will 
annually yield its reward to the toiling husbandmen, but 
another generation will reap the fruits of the earth and 
rejoice in the beauties of nature and the bounties of Provi- 
dence, while we shall be sleeping in our graves and our 
names perhaps almost forgotten. But the influence of our 
lives will still live. 

Rev. A. H. Tyler and Hon. S. A. Patten, followed the 
address with happy and appropriate remarks, alluding to 
the christian character of the early settlers, and the results 
of their teaching upon the present generation. 

\V. S. Knowlton set the house in good humor by reading 
the following poem: 

AULD LANG SYNE. 

Would you of the old times hear, 
The times of Auld Lang Syne? 
When gloomy forests, dark and drear 
With spruce and hemlock, birch and pine, 
Were hiding place for deer and moose, 
And wolf and bear and "luncumsloose?" 
Where now your happy dwellings are 
With pastures, fields and gardens fair? 
Would you like to hear the story 
How they fought their savage foes 
Till with blood the shirt was gory 
Killing fleas and mosquitoes:* 



32 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Their homes they built within the wood, 
Where lofty pine in beauty stood; 
Beside the lake, whose foamy spray 
Like bridal veil hung o'er the way; 
Where oft, with line and baited hook, 
To tempt the troutlet from its nook , 
They sought relief from every care, 
But oftener sought a breakfast there. 

Well, listen now and I will tell, 

How each performed his labor; 
How uncle Joseph dug his w T ell 

For every friend and neighbor. 

From early dawn till darkness set, 

They heard his pickax go; 
Not fast enough to make him sweat, 

But force in every blow. 

So, when a neighbor was athirst, 

In dubious hesitation 
He sent for uncle Royal first, 

To make examination. 

He felt Dame nature's beating pulse, 

To find her water courses, 
And made, with pliant hazel sprout, 

A sort of "diagnosis." j 

And when he'd found the jugular, 

Straight to the fountain leading, 
Good uncle Joe would seize the bar, 

And soon would set it bleeding. 

For uncle James they next would go; 

He'd put a pump within it. 
Zounds! how the water it would throw — 

A barrel in a minute. 

How uncle Ben the mail "put through;" 

Was coach and horse and driver too; 

And how, for miles, ■ at night and morn, 

He waked the babies with his horn — 

Bought sugar, tea and household stuff, 

Tobacco, pipes, and spice and snuff 

For all the town, then homeward tramped in happy 

glee, 
And echoes waked with sweet "Dundee." 



COMMEMORATION. 33 



How uncle O r sold rum, 

Tobacco, gin and candy, 
Bought shingles, clapboards, wheat and gum, 

And paid for them in brandy. 
He never aid to runners lent, 

But bought his goods in "Bostin," 
And always thought that three per cent. 

Meant three times what they cost him. 

Their luxuries were scant and few, 

But they would sit and chew and chew 

And chew spruce gum, at work or play, 

From earl y dawn to close of day; 

And then to bed reluctant creep 

And lie and chew themselves to sleep. 

So when a lover went to see 

Sweet Sally Jane, or Naomi, 

She always smiled to see him come 

If he had' pockets filled with gum. 

And they would sit and chew and talk, 

And "cuds" of gum would slily "swop." 

And how those awful "tything men," 

With faces puritanic, 

The idle boys and godless men 

Dispersed in sudden panic. 

And if a beau by chance was seen 

With her he most did care for, 

They sternly asked "Where have you been?' 

"And what have you been there for?" 

They gave their children scripture names, 

Rebecca, Ruth and Hannah, 

Nehemiah, Solomon and James, 

Naomi and Susanna. 

And sometimes I have heard them tell 

What things at raisings oft befel, 

What piles of pork and beans they'd eat, 

And pumpkin pies and pounds of meat, 

How they would wrestle, dance and jump, 

And use the jug much more than pump. 

If right my memory serves me still, 

It took a drink to lay the sill, 

Two drinks to raise a post upright. 

One to lift and one to sight. 

To raise a beam thev needed two 



34 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

To keep their nerves both staunch and true, 
And every rafter you must see 
Required not less than two or three. 
Thus when they'd got the ridge-pole up, 
They had to tip the jug straight up. 
And once when they'd the building raised, 
A liking took to husking maize, 
And so they cut the half- ripe corn, 
And husked and danced till early dawn, 
But then they found by break of day 
The cobs were much less corned than they. 

The boys were taught to chop and hoe, 

To hold the plough, to reap and mow, 

To ride the colt, the steers to break, 

To use and not to play the rake, 

To pile and burn, and "spud in" corn, 

And rise from bed at early dawn 

To tend the pigs, and cows and flock, 

And go to bed at eight o'clock, 

And ne'er allowed to "sparking" run 

Till they arrived at twenty-one. 

But when a lover felt at last 

An awful longing lor a lass, 

He'd first to ma' and daddy hie 

With blushing cheek and sheepish eye, 

And ask, as though in colic pain, 

"Please — Sir — may — I — have Sally Jane?" 

The girls were taught to knit and sew, 

To card the wool, and spin the tow, 

And weave the dress they wore to dance, 

Or Church, or school, and when, perchance, 

A lover called, as sweetly looked in homespun tow 

As costly silk or calico. 

They tied their hair up in a knot, 

Each satisfied with what she'd got, 

And never tried their looks to spoil, 

By "rats" or "mice" or "waterfall." 

They milked the cow and butter make, 

In haying helped the old man rake; 

Drop all the corn and pumpkin seed, 

The hens, and ducks, and goslings feed. 

They'd on old Dolly's bare back hop, 

Take her to mill or blacksmith shop: 



COMMEMORATION. 35 

And then to quiltings how they flocked; 
Of household 'fairs so glibly talked — 
How many skeins had Betsey spun! 
What awful washings Jane had done! 
How many turkeys they had got 
Besides the ten a skunk had caught. 
Much better thus the time to spend, 
Than whispering scandal of a friend. 

Thomas N. Lord, Preceptor of the Academy, who had 
been engaged to prepare a poem for the occasion, remark- 
ing that ill health had prevented him from preparing such 
a production as he had intended, read the following poem 
on Life: 

LIFE. 

The firmament above to firmament 

Beneath permits, at God's command, the 

Rain to fall. The venerable hill, stretching 

Its cloud-capt summit heavenward, detains 

Ere it begun its course, the water drop, 

And into that channel to man's mind 

Comprehensible directs it. To the 

Hidden spring it hies its way, and there finds 

The starting point of its terrestrial 

Pilgrimage. Mingling and commingling with 

Its kind, it is now one of the ocean bound 

Necessities; teaching to man the fact 

That the mighty whole is of little things 

Composed. And small the beginning 

Of mighty results. Such, methinks, is man's 

beginning. 
From the same source he springs, and by the same 
Direction finds himself at the source of 
Life's boundless ocean — Eternity. Through the 

rivulet 
Of childhood, over sandy and flower strewn 
Courses; through the shady nook which 
Shields from the sun's too hot rays; protected 
From circumstances too harsh and grating, 
That no compunctious visitings of Nature 
Rest too heavily upon it; by its 
Surroundings admired for its purity, 
Smoothly it glides on, all too rapidly. 



36 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 

Its waters, unnoticed, flowing into and 
Mysteriously disappearing in the more 
Turbulent waters of Youth. Here it is 
Dashed about and thrown on rocks that 
Fain w r ould stop its course. But still onward, 
Over fall and cascade, into eddies where it 
Would glad remain and bask in the sun- 
light of misconceived happiness. But its 
Mission is unperformed, and again 
It is whirled into the resistless tide, and beneath 
The surface of manhood, where alternately 
It laughs and moans beneath its burden, and 
- With less of novelty it among its kindred passes. 
Manifold and Varied 
In its course, are its constant changes, 
Till, nearing the mouth of Life's river, it 
Finds tranquility. More smoothly runs its 
Tide; broader its expanse, widening for 
The fuller and more complete crystal drop 
That shall so soon enter the broad, boundless 
Deep, where Humanity, forgetful of 
Itself, shall burst into fulness of glory. 
As the drop upon the mountain top, whose 
Cradle is the fonntain, seeks for its bed — 
The ocean, so man, cradled in the arms 
Of Time, seeks rest, and at last pillows 
His head confidently at his journey's 
End and sleeps, lulled by the tide ripple 
Of Eternity. 

Anecdotes of the early settlers, pioneer life and "ye olden 
tyme" were related by J. D. Jackson, Dea. Cushman and 
Joseph Green. 

The choir, assisted by many of the old singers, enlivened 
the occasion by singing the grand old tunes of "Hallowell, ' ' 
"New Jerusalem," &c, and closed the exercises in the 
hall by singing "America." 

The audience were then invited to the room below, and 
partook of an old-fashioned supper, prepared by the ladies 
of the place. After the guests had indicated their appre- 
ciation of the repast in a satisfactory manner, toasts were 
drank; responses made, and good cheer abounded. 



COMMEMORATION. 



3 



Notwithstanding the bad condition of the roads, the 
attendance was very good; and each one felt that the 
occasion had been one long to be remembered. 



APPENDIX. 

Names of those who Entered the Army from the 

TOWN OF MONSON DURING THE REBELLION, I 86 I- 1865. 



J John H. Andrews, 

Elias T. Andrews, 
II Thomas Arnold, 

George H. Bray, 
II Daniel C. Brazier, 

Wm. Buck, Jr., 
*Wm. H. Buck, 

John Chick, 
II Morrill G. Curtis, 
t David S. Curtis, 
IIRufus G. Curtis, Jr., 

Daniel Cunningham, 
II Albert W. Chapin, 
* George H. Cushman, 
II Moses G. Colomy, 

Charles E. Colomy, 
tEben P. Davis, 
II George A. Davis, 
George Doughty, 
Henry A. Hussey, 
Henry Higgins, 
Lloyd Howard, 
IIBradish B. Jackson, 
+John H. Jackson, 
Joseph T. Jackson, 
*Favel B. Jackson, 
Albert F. Jackson, 
Thomas W. Knight, 
Jack Lamont, 



George F. Dearborn, 
Charles E. Dearborn, 
Wm. H. Dermott, 
*Ezekiel Elliott, 
Henry M. Folsom, 
Thomas W. Flint, 
II Frank Gates, 
t George Goodwin, 
Stinson Goodwin, 
Merritt Goodwin, 
Abram Coding, 
HHermon R. Green, 
Thaddeus Green, 
IIMarcellus W. Hall, 
Jeremiah Hill, 
Sylvanus B. Macomber 
tMelvander Packard, 
Simeon D. Packard, 
tOrrin Piper, 
tSimon D. Ranlett, 
jSeth W. Roberts, 
Adelbert A. Simonds, 
Edwin C. Stanchfield, 
John C. Stanchfield, 
tMark P. Steward, 
Moses Steward, 
*John M. Stewart, 
Brown B. Steward, 
II Sylvanus B. Steward, 



38 



SEMI-CENTENNIAL 



Joseph Lambert, 
Charles H. Lord, 
*Almon C. Morton, 
John McDermott, 
Daniel MeKenney, 
John H. MeKenney, 
t Granville MeKenney, 

W. D. MeKenney, 

tCyrus MeKenney, 

|| Charles A. Gates, 

t Dexter Goodwin, 

Samuel Goodwin, 

Albert Goodwin, 



t William P. Steward, 
Seth W. Steward, 

t Edward P. Scales, 

|| Win. T. Sibley, 
Nathaniel Swett, 

|| Robert T. Thomas, 
Adoniram J. Townes, 
John Tebbetts, Jr., 
George W. Tebbetts, 

|| Thomas A. Trask, 
Charles A. Wentworth, 

tDennis H. Witham, 
Wni. Watt. 



*Killed in battle or died from the effects of wounds received in battle. 
tSickeued and died while in service. 
{Reached home to die. 
II Wounded in the service. 




H 106 89 .4 





.ft" c • * ♦ « ■** 






V-* 






•' ^X '.OTF.* * 'W ^ 



^o 1 



* ^ V 



^ V'T^'V %-^-> 



c* # 




*« . . • 





















»* 







^ / 










» ^ V 






>> . v^v... v^*> 9 ... v^- 












6*** 







>0 V i 'o 

v 




«b<* 








^ 







^\ 



